GB2522481A

GB2522481A - Restraining device

Info

Publication number: GB2522481A
Application number: GB1401450.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Abramson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-28
Filing date: 2014-01-28
Publication date: 2015-07-29
Also published as: GB201401450D0

Abstract

A device for restraining an animal comprises a leash 3 having a first end (4, fig 1) and a second end 5. The first end is attachable to a fastening (6, fig 1) and the second end is attachable to a handle 7. The handle defines a loop 8 having a gate 9 which is operable to transition between an open position in which the leash is passable through the gate and a closed position in which the leash is not passable through the gate thus allowing the device to be secured to a pot or the like. The gate is pivotable 10 and may be biased to the closed positioned. The device may further be provided with a locking sleeve (fig 8) and fixing means (fig 6) movable along the length of the leash. The leash may be retractable into the handle.

Description

Restraining Device The present invention relates to a device for restraining an animal. The invention is particularly beneficial for tethering an animal to an object such as a post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Restraining devices are often used by animal owners or handlers to restrain their animals when they are taken out of a controlled environment. For example, a dog lead may be used to restrain a dog when taking the dog outside of the home. At times, it may be desirable to tether an animal to an object such that the animal may only move within a given distance of the object. This may prevent the animal from escaping the control of the owner or handler and may allow the owner or handler to leave the animal unattended. It may, for example, be desirable to tether an animal to a post or pole.

Prior art restraining devices cannot be securely tethered to objects without temporarily releasing the animal from the restrainng device. Releasing the animal from the restraining device may release the animal from the control of the owner or handler and thus increases the likelihood of the animal escaping.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the problems associated with known restraining devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a device for restraining an animal comprising a leash having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attachable to a fastening, and a handle attachable to the second end of the leash, wherein the handle defines a loop and wherein the handle comprises a gate in the loop which is operable to transition between an open position in which the leash is passable through the gate and a closed position in which the leash is not passable through the gate.

The gate in the handle allows the restraining device to be securely tethered to any object such as a post without releasing an animal from the restraining device. In order to tether the restraining device to an object, the handle may be passed around the object. This causes a portion of the leash to form a loop which is wrapped around the object. The gate may then be transitioned to the open position which allows a section of the leash to be passed through the gate and into the loop of the handle. The gate may then be transitioned to the closed position such that the leash cannot pass back through the gate and out of the loop of the handle. This causes the restraining device to be securely tethered to the object.

Tethering the restraining device to an object restricts the movement of an animal held by the restraining device such that the animal may only move within a given distance of the object. This prevents the animal from escaping the control of an owner or handler of the animal and may allow the owner or handler to leave the animal unattended.

The gate may be operable to transition between the open position and the closed position by rotating the gate about a pivot.

The gate may be operable to transition between the open position and the closed position by retracting a portion of the gate into a hollow section of the handle.

The gate may be biased towards the closed position.

Biasing the gate towards the closed position reduces the risk that the gate may accidentally be transitioned from the closed position to the open position.

The gate may be spring loaded such that the gate automatically returns to the closed position when no force is applied to the gate.

The gate may be configured to interlock with a portion at the handle when the gate is in the closed position.

The device of may further comprise a locking sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve is operable to transition between a locked position in which the gate is prevented from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position in which the gate may be transitioned from the closed position to the open position.

The locking sleeve reduces the risk that the gate may accidentally be transitioned from the closed position to the open position. This increases the security of a tether of the restraining device to an object.

The leash may further comprise a fixing means, and wherein the fixing means comprises a loop which forms an opening through which a portion of the handle may be passed.

The fixing means fixes the size of a portion of the leash which forms a loop around an object when the restraining device is tethered to the object.

The fixing means may be moveable along the length of the leash.

A moveable fixing means allows the size of a portion of the leash which forms a loop around an object when the restraining device is tethered to the object to be adjusted for objects of different sizes.

The handle may be configured to retract a portion of the leash into the handle.

The handle may be operable to secure the retracted portion of the leash within the handle.

The device may further comprise a fastening for fastening to an animal.

The fastening may comprise a collar operable to be fastened around the neck of an animal.

The loop of the handle may be smaller than an animal which is restrained by the restraining device such that the animal cannot pass through the loop. This prevents the animal from passing through the loop which may cause the animal to become untethered from the object.

The loop of the handle may be smaller than the fastening such that the fastening cannot pass through the loop. This prevents the fastening from passing through the loop which may cause the fastening to become untethered from the object.

The handle may comprise a rigid material.

The handle may comprise a flexible material.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a restraining device substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

The first aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the second aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 is a schematic depiction of a restraining device; -Figure 2 is a schematic depiction of a handle of the restraining device of Figure 1; -Figure 3 is a schematic depiction of the handle of Figure 2 in which a gate of the handle is in an open position; -Figure 4 is a schematic depiction of a restraining device being tethered to a post; -Figure 5 is a schematic depiction of a restraining device which is tethered to a post; -Figure 6 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a restraining device which includes a fixing means; -Figure 7 is a schematic depiction of an alternative embodiment of a handle of a restraining device; -Figure 8 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a handle of a restraining device n which a locking sleeve is positioned in a locked position; and -Figure 9 is a schematic depiction of the handle of Figure 8 in which the locking sleeve s positioned in an unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a restraining device for an animal 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The restraining device 1 comprises a leash 3. The leash 3 comprises a flexible material. The leash 3 has a first end 4 and a second end 5. The first end 4 of the leash 3 is attachable to a fastening 6.

The fastening 6 may be fastened to an animal such that the animal may be restrained by restraining the fastening 6. For example, the fastening 6 may comprise a collar which may be fastened around the neck of an animal (e.g. a dog). Alternatively the fastening 6 may comprise a harness which may be fastened around the body of an animal. In general, the fastening 6 may comprise any apparatus which is fastened to an animal such that if the movement of the fastening 6 is restricted then the movement of the animal is also restricted.

The first end 4 of the leash 3 may be attachable to the fastening 6 by any possible means. For example, the first end 4 of the leash 3 may be permanently attached to the fastening 6. Alternatively the first end 4 of the leash 3 may be removably attachable to the fastenings, such that a user of the restraining device may easily attach and detach the first end 4 of the leash 3 to and from the fastening 6. The first end 4 of the leash 3 may comprise an attachment means (not shown) which is removably attachable to the fastening 6. The attachment means may, for example, comprise a clip such as a trigger hook which may be hooked around a portion of the fastening 6 and closed such that the trigger hook is secured to the fastening 6. The fastening 6 may comprise a portion which is configured to receive an attachment means. For example, the fastening 6 may comprise a ring (not shown) to which a trigger hook or other form of attachment means may be secured.

The restraining device 1 further comprises a handle 7. The handle 7 is attachable to the second end 5 of the leash 3. The handle 7 may be permanently attached to the second end 5 of the leash 3 or may be removably attachable to the second end 5 of the leash 3. The second end 5 of the leash 3 may comprise an attachment means (not shown) which may be removably attached to the handle 7. The second end 5 of the leash 3 may, for example, comprise similar attachment means to those which were described above with reference to the first end 4 of the leash 3.

The handle 7 may be held by an owner or handler of an animal to which the fastening 6 is fastened. The animal is restrained by the restraining device 1 such that it may only move within a restraining distance from the handle 7. The restraining distance is limited by the length of a portion of the leash 3 which extends between the fastening 6 and the handle 7. By holding the handle 7 an owner or handler of an animal may therefore restrain the animal whilst allowing the animal to move freely within the restraining distance.

The second end 5 of the leash 3 may be retractable into a portion of the handle 7.

Retracting the second end 5 of the leash 3 into the handle 7 may cause a portion of the leash 3 to also be retracted into the handle 7. The portion of the leash 3 which is retracted into the handle 7 may be secured in the handle 7 such that the retracted portion of the leash 3 may not pass out of the handle 7. This may reduce the portion of the leash 3 which extends between the fastening 6 and the handle 7 and therefore reduce the restraining distance from the handle 7 in which an animal may move. This may increase the level of control which an owner or handler of an animal has over the animal. The retracted portion of the leash 3 may later be released such that the retracted portion of the leash is free to pass out of the handle 7, thereby increasing the restraining distance. Securing and releasing a retracted portion of the leash 3 may, for example, be actuated by pressing and releasing a trigger (not shown) on the handle 7.

Figure 2 is a schematic depiction of a close up view of the handle 7 of the restraining device 1. The handle 7 may, for example, be formed from a rigid material such as a rigid plastic or metal. The handle 7 defines a loop 8. A user of the restraining device 1 may pass a portion of their hand through the loop 8 in order to grasp the handle 7. At least a portion of the handle 7 may be covered with a material which is designed to be held by a user of the restraining device 1. For example, a portion of the handle 7 may be covered with a soft material such as a soft plastic or rubber which may allow the handle 7 to be comfortably and securely held by a user.

The handle 7 comprises a gate 9 in the loop 8. The gate 9 is operable to transition between an open position and a closed position. For example, the gate 9 may be transitioned between an open position and a closed position by rotating the gate 9 about a pivot 10. Rotation of the gate 9 about a pivot 10 is indicated by the double headed arrow in Figure 2. Figure 2 depicts the gate 9 in the closed position. In the closed position objects such as the leash 3 cannot be passed through the gate 9.

When the gate 9 is in the closed position, the loop 8 is closed and objects such as the leash 3 cannot be passed into or out of the loop 8. Figure 3 is a schematic depiction of the handle 7 with the gate 9 in an open position. The gate 9 is transitioned to the open position by rotating the gate 9 about the pivot 10. In the open position objects such as the leash 3 may be passed through the gate 9 and into the loop 8.

In an embodiment, a portion of the gate 9 may interlock with a portion of the handle 7 when the gate 9 is in the closed position. For example, a portion of the gate 9 which is furthest from the pivot 10 may interlock with a portion of the handle 7 as the gate 9 is transitioned into the closed position. The interlocking of a portion of the gate 9 with a portion of the handle 7 may prevent the portion of the gate 9 from being pulled apart from the portion of the handle 7. This may increase the strength of the handle 7 when the gate 9 is in the closed position and may increase the force which can be applied to the handle 7 without deforming or breaking the handle 7.

The gate 9 may be transitioned between a closed position and an open position in order to tether the restraining device 1 to an object. For example, the restraining device 1 may be tethered to a post. Figure 4 is a schematic depiction of a restraining device 1 being tethered to a post 11. In order to tether the restraining device ito the post 11, the handle 7 is passed around the post 11. This causes a portion 12 of the leash 3 to form a loop which is wrapped around the post 11. The gate 9 is transitioned to an open position which allows a section of the leash 3 to be passed through the gate 9 and into the loop 8 of the handle 7. The gate 9 is then transitioned to the closed position such that the leash 3 cannot pass back through the gate 9 and out of the loop B of the handle 7. This causes the restraining device 9 to be securely tethered to the post 11.

Figure 5 is a schematic depiction of the restraining device 1 after the restraining device 1 has been tethered to the post 11 using the steps which were described above with reference to Figure 4. By passing a section of the leash 3 through the gate 9 and transitioning the gate 9 to the closed position, the leash 3 becomes secured within the loop 8 of the handle 9. This means that the portion 12 of the leash 3 which is wrapped around the post 11 cannot be unwrapped from the post ii and thus the restraining device 1 is securely tethered to the post 11. An animal which is secured by the fastening 6 will therefore be tethered to the post 11 such that the animal may only move within a given distance of the post 11. This may prevent the animal from escaping the control of an owner or handler of the animal and may allow the owner or handler to leave the animal unattended without risk of the animal escaping.

The ioop 8 which is defined by the handle 7 may be smaller than the animal which is secured by the fastening 6. This may prevent the animal from passing through the loop 8 which may undo the tether of the animal to the post 11. The loop 8 whch is defined by the handle 7 may additionally be smaf er than the fastening 6. This may prevent the fastening 6 from passing through the loop 8 which may undo the tether of the fastening 6 to the post 11.

Prior art restraining devices may be tethered to an object by tying the restraining device around the object. Tying a restraining device around an object is not however as secure as the tether which may be created by using a restraining device 1 according to the present invention. Tying a restrainng device around an object may additionally strain the restraining device which may damage the restraining device. Damage to the restraining device may cause the restraining device to rupture. Rupture of the restraining device may cause an animal to become untethered from an object and may allow the animal to escape. A restraining device according to the present invention is therefore advantageous over the prior art since it allows an animal to tethered to an object with greater security than prior art restraining devices.

Prior art restraining devices may alternatively be tethered to an object by, for example, detaching the restraining device from a fastening 6 which is secured to an animal, passing an end of a leash 3 through a handle 7 and reattaching the restraining device to the fastening 6. However this method requires the animal to be temporarily released from the restraining device and thus may allow the animal to escape whilst the restraining device is tethered to the object. A restraining device 1 according to the present invention is advantageous over the prior art since it allows an animal to be securely tethered to an object without releasing the animal from the restraining device 1.

The leash 3 may comprise a fixing means to which the handle 7 may be attached.

Figure 6 is schematic depiction of an embodiment of a restraining device 1 in which the leash 3 comprises a fixing means 15. The fixing means 15 comprises a closed loop which forms an opening 16 through which a portion of the handle 7 may be passed.

The handle 7 may be attached to the fixing means 15 by passing a portion of the fixing means 15 through the gate 9 whilst the gate 9 is in an open position. The fixing means may then be moved around the loop B which is defined by the handle 7 such that a portion of the handle 7 is encompassed by the fixing means 15. The gate 9 may then be transitioned to the closed position in order to secure the handle 7 to the fixing means 15. Attaching the handle 7 to the fixing means 15, fixes the portion 12 of the leash 3 which forms a loop around an object such as a post 11. This may provide a more secure tethering of the restraining device 1 to the post 11.

In an embodiment, the fixing means 15 may be movable along the length of the leash 3. For example, the fixing means may comprise a securing device operable to secure the fixing means 15 in a particular position along the length of the leash 3. The securing device may for example comprise a clamp operable to pinch a portion of the leash 3 thereby securing the clamp to that portion of the leash 3. The securing device may be unsecured from the leash 3 (e.g. by releasing the clamp) such that the securing device and the fixing means may be moved to a new position along the length of the leash 3. The securing device may subsequently be secured in the new position such that the fixing means 15 is also secured in the new position.

This may allow the length of the portion 12 of the leash 3 which forms a loop around an object to be adjusted. The size of the portion 12 of the leash 3 which forms a loop around an object may be adjusted according to the size of the object to which the restraining device 1 is to be tethered. After the fixing means 15 has been moved to a position along the leash 3 which is suitable for the size of object to which the restraining device 1 is to be tethered, the position of the fixing means 15 along the length of the leash 3 may be secured. This may fix the size of the portion 12 of the leash 3 which forms a loop around the object. This may allow the restraining device 1 to be securely tethered to objects of many different sizes.

The embodiment of a handle 7 which was described above and depicted in Figures 2-5 comprises a gate 9 which is rotatable about a pivot 10. The gate 9 may be biased towards the closed position. For example, the gate 9 may be spring loaded such that the gate 9 automatically returns to the closed position when no force is applied to the gate by a user.

A user may transition the gate 9 to an open position by applying a force to the gate 9 in order to overcome a spring force caused by the spring loading of the gate 9. When the user applied force is released from the gate 9 the spring force returns the gate 9 to the closed position. The spring loading of the gate 9 may therefore increase the difficulty of transitioning the gate 9 from the closed position to an open position. This may prevent accidental opening of the gate 9 and may therefore increase the security of a tether which is held by the gate 9.

Figure 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a handle 7 according to the present invention. The handle 7 comprises a gate 9 which is operable to transition between an open position and a closed position. The gate 9 may transition between an open position and a closed position by retractng and extending the gate 9 into and out of a hollow section of the handle 7 as indicated by the double headed arrow which is depicted adjacent to the gate 9 in Figure 7. The gate 9 is depicted in an open position in Figure 7 in which a portion of the gate 9 is retracted into a hollow section of the handle 7.

The gate 9 may be retracted into and/or extended out of the handle 7 by actuating a trigger 13 which is mechanically coupled to the gate 9. The trigger 13 may be actuated in the directions indicated by the double headed arrow which is depicted adjacent to the trigger 13 in Figure 7.

The retractable gate 9 may be biased towards the closed position. For example, the gate 9 may be spring loaded such that the gate 9 automatically returns to the closed position when no force is applied to the gate 9 or to the trigger 13 by a user. A user may transition the gate 9 to an open position by applying a force to the trigger 13 in order to overcome a spring force caused by the spring loading of the gate 9. When the user applied force is released from the trigger 13 the spring force returns the gate 9 to the closed position. The spring loading of the gate 9 may therefore increase the difficulty of transitioning the gate 9 from the closed position to an open position. This may prevent accidental opening of the gate 9 and may therefore increase the security of a tether which is held by the gate 9.

Figure 8 is a schematic depiction of a handle 7 comprising a gate 9 which may be secured in the closed position by a locking sleeve 14. The locking sleeve 14 is shown in Figure 8 in a locked position in which a portion 15 of the gate 9 is encompassed by the locking sleeve 14. Also encompassed by the locking sleeve 14 is a portion 16 of the handle 7 which is not part of the gate 9. When in a locked position the locking sleeve 14 therefore serves to constrain the gate 9 relative to the rest of the handle 7 and thus prevents the gate 9 from transitioning to an open position. The locking sleeve 14 may prevent accidental opening of the gate 9 when in a locked position.

Figure 9 is a schematic depiction of the handle 7 which is depicted in Figure 8 but with the locking sleeve 14 in an unlocked position. In the unlocked position no part of the locking sleeve 14 encompasses the gate 9. Since the locking sleeve 14 does not encompass any of the gate 9 in the unlocked position, the gate 9 may be transitioned into an open position.

The locking sleeve 14 is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking sleeve 14 may, for example, comprise a hollow cylinder whose inner surface is threaded. A portion of the handle 7 and a portion of the gate 9 along which the locking sleeve 14 is movable may be cylindrically shaped and may also be threaded. The thread of the inner surface of the locking sleeve 14 may interlock with the thread of the handle 7 and the gate 9. Rotation of the locking sleeve 14 may cause the locking sleeve 14 to be screwed along the handle 7 and the gate 9. The locking sleeve may therefore be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotating the locking sleeve 14.

In an aternative embodiment the locking sleeve 14 may be slidable along a portion of the handle 7 and the gate 9. The locking sleeve 14 may therefore be transitioned between a locked position and an unlocked position by sliding the locking sleeve 14 along a portion of the handle 7 and the gate 9. The locking sleeve 14 may be spring loaded such that the locking sleeve 14 automatically returns to a locked position when no force is applied to the locking sleeve 14 by a user. This may decrease the risk of the locking sleeve 14 accidentally transitioning to an unlocked position.

A locking sleeve 14 may be used to a secure a gate 9 which is rotatable about a pivot 10 (e.g. the gate 9 depicted in Figure 3). Alternatively a locking sleeve 14 may be used to secure a gate 9 which is retractable into a hollow section of the handle 7 (e.g. the gate 9 depicted in Figure 7). In an embodiment in which a locking sleeve 14 secures a gate 9 which is retractable into a hollow section of the handle 7, a threaded locking sleeve 14 may be particularly advantageous. In such an embodiment, the locking sleeve 14 may be moved to a locked position in which a thread on the inner surface of the locking sleeve 14 interlocks with both a thread on a portion of the handle 7 and a thread on a portion of the gate 9. This may prevent the gate 9 from being retracted into a portion of the handle 7 and may therefore secure the gate 9 in a closed position.

A locking sleeve 14 may increase the strength of the handle 7 when in the locked position. When in the locked position, the locking sleeve 14 may hold together the portion 15 of the gate 9 and the portion 16 of the handle 7 which are encompassed by the locking sleeve 14. This may prevent the portion 15 of the gate 9 and the portion 16 of the handle 7 from being pulled apart from one another and may therefore improve the structural integrity of the handle 7 and increase the force which can be applied to the handle 7 without deforming or breaking the handle 7.

Embodments of a handle 7 are depicted in the Figures as having a generally triangular shape. Other embodiments of the handle 7 may however, have different shapes.

Embociments of a handle 7 have been described in which the handle 7 is formed from a rigid material. However in some embodiments the handle 7 may be formed from a flexible material. For example the handle 7 may be formed from a fabric which is woven into a webbing. The handle 7 may, for example, comprise a webbing formed from a material such as cotton, nylon, polypropylene or polyester. In an embodiment in which the handle 7 is formed from a flexible material, the gate 9 which is operable to transition between an open position and a closed position may for example, comprise a plastic clip. The plastic clip may comprise a first and second section, wherein the first section of the clip may be inserted into the second section of the clip. The gate 9 may be transitioned to the closed position by inserting the first section of the clip into the second section such that the two sections are secured together. The first section may, for example, comprise one or more portions which may be compressed in order to release the first section from the second section. This may allow the gate 9 to be transitioned to an open position.

Embodments of a handle 7 have been described in which the handle 7 defines a loop B and wherein the handle comprises a gate 9 in the loop B. In the described embodiments, the loop 8 in which there is a gate 9 may be held by a user.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A device for restraining an animal comprising: a leash having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attachable to a fastening; and a handle attachable to the second end of the leash, wherein the handle delines a loop and wherein the handle comprises a gate in the loop which is operable to transition between an open position in which the leash is passable through the gate and a closed position in which the leash is not passable through the gate.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the gate is operable to transition between the open position and the closed position by rotating the gate about a pivot.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the gate is operable to transition between the open position and the closed position by retracting a portion of the gate into a hollow section of the handle.
4. The device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the gate is biased towards the closed position.
5. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the gate is spring loaded such that the gate automatically returns to the closed position when no force is applied to the gate.
6. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the gate is configured to interlock with a portion of the handle when the gate is in the closed position.
7. The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a locking sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve is operable to transition between a locked position in which the gate is prevented from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position in which the gate may be transitioned from the closed position to the open position.
8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the leash further comprises a fixing means, and wherein the fixing means comprises a loop which forms an opening through which a portion of the handle may be passed.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the fixing means is moveable along the length of the leash.
10. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the handle is configured to retract a portion of the leash into the handle.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the handle is operable to secure the retracted portion of the leash within the handle.
12. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a fastening for fastening to an animal.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the fastening comprises a collar operable to be fastened around the neck of an animal.
14. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the loop of the handle is smaller than an animal which is restrained by the restraining device such that the animal cannot pass through the loop.
15. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the loop of the handle is smaller than the fastening such that the fastening cannot pass through the loop.
16. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a rigid material.
17. The device of any of claims 1-15, wherein the handle comprises a flexible material
18. A restraining device substantially as described herein, with reference to theaccompanying description and drawings.